10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Egyptian Mau

Egyptian Mau

If you are a cat lover and are considering adoption a cat, you have plenty of options. Some people go to their local pound and pick and adult cat. Some people check the newspaper to find someone giving away free kittens. Finally, some people have a specific breed of cat in mind. If you are considering adopting an Egyptian Mau Cat, you should know as much as possible about them.

The Egyptian Mau’s Ancient History

The word Mau is Egyptian for cat. It is the oldest breed of cat. In ancient Egypt, these cats were worshiped as Gods. After their death, they were mummified. You can see the breed’s presence in ancient artwork, in the ancient Egyptian religion, and in stories about ancient Egyptian mythology.

The Egyptian Mau’s Markings

The Egyptian Mau has very specific markings. On his forehead is the shape of an M. Some people call it the mark of the scarab beetle, which is part of the cat’s ancient Egyptian origin. They have two lines that resemble mascara lines on each of their cheeks. The first line starts at the corner of the cat’s eye, and the second line goes along the contour of his cheek. The specific markings on this breed of cat are very distinct and they make this cat look very unique. It is believed that ancient Egyptian women would apply their makeup based on the markings of this breed that was held in such high esteem.

The Egyptian Mau’s Coat

One of the most distinctive traits of the Egyptian Mau is his coat. Their coats are often bronze, silver, black, or smoke colored. The true signature trait is their random spots. They are often different shapes and they are placed in different areas. Each cat is very unique. The spots are often oblong or round, and their patterns differ depending on the cat. The contrast between the cat’s coloring and his spots make it very easy to tell that he is an Egyptian Mau.

He Is a Smart, Savvy Hunter

The Egyptian Mau is a very playful breed. He loves to play fetch and he loves to imitate hunting behavior. If you have a mouse in your house, it won’t be there long if you adopt an Egyptian Mau. If you allow your cat to go outside, you will see that he is a very skilled predator. He is a very athletic cat, and also lovable. He will jump on your shoulders the first chance he gets just to show you some affection. When it comes to intelligence, the Egyptian Mau is one of the smartest breeds. It won’t take long before you cat learns how to open the doors in your home and open your drawers. If you give your cat a puzzle, he will be able to solve it quite easily.

They Are Fast

The Egyptian is considered the Greyhound of the cat world. Of all domestic cats, this breed is the fastest. They can run up to 30 miles per hour, which for a cat is amazing. They are so quick because they are built like cheetahs. They have longer legs than most domestic cats and a skin flap that goes from their back knee to their abdomen. This gives the cat a wider range of motion so that he can get a longer stride. When the cat is running, he can reach incredible speeds.

Egyptian Maus Are Kid Friendly

Many domestic cats are cranky and don’t like kids too much. This is not the case with the Egyptian Mau. They love to play with children who like to run and play with them and play hide and seek. They are also very patient, so they can deal with toddlers who play rough because they don’t know any better. When your kids get older, they can play games that will make the cat use his intelligence. This is his what he loves to do best and it is his time to shine.

They Love the Water

Most domestic cats hate water. The closest they will get to water is to drink it. Other than that, they stay away. It can be almost impossible to get a typical domestic cat to get in the tub and take a bath. Egyptian Maus are the exact opposite. They like to play in their water dishes and will even learn to turn on the faucet. Once they do, you can expect to catch them splashing around in the water. You can expect to wipe up your cat’s water messes often, as they are not only playful, they are also furry fish.

They Don’t Want to Share Their Family

When it comes to their owners, these cats are very possessive. He will pick his one special person that he will remain loyal to always. He will love the rest of his family as well, but he will choose one person to hold close to his heart. While your Egyptian Mau will be great with the family, he may not be that good with strangers. They tend to get nervous when they are around people that they don’t know. Most will hide and shy away. If you try to continuously socialize your cat, it can help a bit, however, these cats will never be social butterflies with people who are not family.

They Are in Control

While the Egyptian Mau is a very affectionate cat, he is only affectionate on his own terms. He does not like to be picked up, ever. When he is going to be affectionate, it is when he feels like it. He will sit and snuggle with you on the couch, but only when he wants to.

They Are Very Vocal

These cats are very vocal. They are very vocal when they are happy and excited. They are just as vocal when they are sad, angry hungry or hurt. They are much more vocal than their other domestic counterparts.

The Egyptian Mau is a very unique, lovable, and friendly cat. If you are on the fence about adopting one, you should give him a chance. You won’t regret it.

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